AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame member Doug Bingham passes away

The American Motorcyclist Association extends its condolences to the family of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Doug Bingham, who passed away on Jan. 27 at the age of 76.

Sidecar road racing champion and noted innovator was 76

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association extends its condolences to the family of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Doug Bingham, who passed away on Jan. 27 at the age of 76.

Affectionately known as "Mr. Sidecar," Mr. Bingham was a 50-year AMA member and Charter Life Member. He received the 1998 AMA MVP Award for advancing the cause of motorcycling and was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2003.

Since the 1960s Mr. Bingham raced, designed, manufactured and distributed motorcycle sidecars. He also developed new uses for sidecars, organized events that were enjoyed by enthusiasts and the general public, and served as an ambassador for both the business and pleasure sides of motorcycling.

Mr. Bingham captured the inaugural AMA Sidecar Road Racing Championship in 1968 with co-pilot Ed Wade aboard a Harley-Davidson-powered, Bingham-designed racer. They captured the title again in 1969.

In 1969, Bingham incorporated his sidecar business, Side Strider Inc., in Van Nuys, Calif. He then began production of the Bingham Mark I, which was the first new sidecar design in decades. The sidecar was featured in the December 1969 issue of Popular Science as being innovative, handsomely designed and reasonably priced.

ABC television contacted Mr. Bingham in 1984 about constructing a mobile camera platform to be used for Olympic event coverage. Bingham modified an electric motorcycle and attached a sidecar camera platform.

Television producers and the sports and film industries called on Mr. Bingham to develop and pilot camera sidecars. He was recognized with multiple Emmy Awards for Outstanding Videography and Live Event Coverage.

Additionally, in 2014, he donated more than 600 motorcycle-themed toys, which are currently on display at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.